The US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that a federal district court in California “affirmed the federal government’s authority to protect national energy security under the Defense Production Act.”

The State of California had attempted to shut down the Santa Ynez Pipeline due to alleged failures to comply with state laws and regulations. DOJ successfully argued that an order issued by the Secretary of Energy preempted state actions aimed at blocking or delaying operation of the pipeline, which transports crude oil from offshore production to California refineries.

Safety Oversight Limited to Federal Agency
The Court ruled that the only agency that should oversee the safety of two segments of the pipeline is the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. DOJ’s press release said, “California’s efforts to shut down the pipeline amounted to an attempt to override federal authority and undercut essential national energy priorities.”

Federal Supremacy
The specific rulings included a denial of California’s request for preliminary injunction; a declaration that federal law bars California from pursuing legal actions — such as trespass claims — that would impede pipeline operations mandated by federal authority; and an instruction to state courts that they may not enforce injunctions that conflict with federal directives.

To see the press release https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/federal-court-protects-national-energy-security-and-rejects-dangerous-state-efforts-obstruct